Public forum on election reform April 20 ANN ARBOR—The University of Michigan will host a public panel discussion on election reform with state and federal election officials at 9-11:30 a.m. April 20 in the Michigan League’s Vandenberg Room.  [Central Campus map, Michigan League #15 center]

“Election Administration in the United States: Current Practice and Prospects for Reform” is sponsored by the Department of Communication Studies in the U-M College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, and by the U-M Office of the Vice President for Research.

The program will feature two sessions: one on the current electoral practice in Michigan and the voting-by-mail procedures in Oregon; and another on the prospects for election reform, specifically in the area of standards of practice and the use of computers.

Featured speakers include: Vicki Ervin, director of elections, Multnomah County, Ore.; Chris Thomas, director of elections, State of Michigan; Penelope Bonsall, director, Office of Election Administration, Federal Election Commission; and Craig Donsanto, director, Election Crimes Branch, U.S. Department of Justice. Michael Traugott, U-M professor of communication studies, will moderate both panel discussions. Traugott is a nationally known expert on elections, polling, public opinion, campaign reform, and the impact of the news media on American politics and voter behavior.

For more information, call the U-M Department of Communication Studies at (734) 764-0420.

Central Campus mapDepartment of Communication Studieselections